Malaysia attractions

Set just 14 miles (22 kilometers) outside the Sarawak state capital of Kuching, the sandstone mountains of Kubah National Park offer some of the best day trekking and plant-spotting opportunities in the region. Swim in natural pools below waterfalls or hike along nature trails frequented by bearded pigs and pheasants.

Set in a former quarry below Penang Hill, the 71-acre (29-hectare) Penang Botanic Gardens (Taman Botani Pulau Pinang) blend jungle with formal gardens to magical effect. Founded in 1884, and sometimes known as the Waterfall Gardens for the stream that tumbles through them, they’re crisscrossed with walking trails.

Rivers have long been the arteries of Borneo, and a stroll along Kuching Waterfront (Esplanade)—which meanders along more than half a mile (1 kilometer) of the Sarawak River—is the perfect way to discover this mellow but lively city. The contemporary Darul Hana Bridge, a pedestrian walkway, connects it to the northern shore.

Not only is Kota Kinabalu City Mosque (Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu) the largest mosque in the Bornean capital of KK, but it’s also one of its most stunning landmarks. Because a lagoon surrounds it, the Islamic structure appears to float when looked at from afar, making for fantastic photographs.

The 2,965-acre (1,200-hectare) Templer Park is a green oasis on the northern edge of Kuala Lumpur. Its greenery, streams, ponds, and waterfalls attract visitors wanting to cool off from Kuala Lumpur’s hot, sticky climate. There’s also a country club within the park and a rainforest retreat resort just outside.

Built between 1868 and 1927 to serve as Sarawak’s center of government, Kuching Old Court House is a heritage complex of low buildings set around a central courtyard. It’s home to the Ranee Museum, tourist information offices, events and live music venues, plus several eateries: it’s officially known as the Sarawak Tourism Complex.

Home to 5,000-plus creatures from about 500 different species, Malaysia National Zoo (Zoo Negara Malaysia) is a premier conservation facility. Visit to see zoo animal favorites such as giant pandas, elephants, and lions. Stop by the petting zoo, bird house, reptile house, and butterfly garden, and don't miss the live animal shows.

The highest point in Kota Kinabalu, Signal Hill Observatory Platform, overlooks the sprawling capital of the Malaysian island of Borneo. From the sci-fi-style platform, you can see modern buildings, Likas Bay, and, on a clear day, the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, fringed by turquoise water. It’s also a prime sunset spot.

With their comically long noses and ginger fur, proboscis monkeys are a highlight of any visit to Borneo. And the Klias Peninsula (Klias Wetlands, an expanse of coastal forest a couple of hours south of Kota Kinabalu, is the perfect place to watch them swing through the trees. After nightfall, fireflies flicker and glitter by the river.

Sapi Island (Pulau Sapi is part of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, an underwater wonderland located just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu. Though the second-smallest island of the archipelago, Sapi Island is home to the Coral Flyer Zipline, one of the longest island-to-island ziplines in the world.

One of more than 70 temples in Sarawak devoted to Tua Pek Kong (a Taoist deity popular with Malaysians and Singaporeans of Chinese descent), Kuching’s Tua Pek Kong Temple is one of the city’s oldest Chinese places of worship—a plaque claims it dates back to 1770. It's perched on a podium adorned with vibrant dragon carvings, and inside Incense smolders and gaudy colors glisten.

The sleepy coastal town of Sekinchan, north of Kuala Selangor, is Malaysia’s rice bowl, with spectacularly flat, fertile fields that yield more rice per acre than anywhere in the country. The Sekinchan Paddy Fields (Sawah Padi Sekinchan), vast rice fields that roll away toward the endless horizon, are Sekinchan’s star attraction.

Sarawak Museum exhibits ethnographic and ecological artifacts relating to traditional tribal and environmental life in the state of Sarawak. Admire small scale replicas of Iban longhouses, tribal weapons, and mounted exhibits of exotic mammals and reptiles—of particular interest are the displays of shrunken heads and human skulls.

Within easy reach of Kota Kinabalu city center, Sabah Museum (Sabah State Museum) explores the heritage, art, culture, and daily life of Sabah and its people. Along with the main building, the museum comprises a Heritage Village, Ethnobotanical Garden, and Science and Technology Center.

The Cape Rachado Lighthouse, also called the Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse, stands within the Cape Rachado Forest Reserve, which has been a haven for migratory birds and turtles since it was established in the 1920s. A fun excursion for some exercise and beautiful views, visiting the lighthouse requires a short uphill hike along a path surrounded by jungle.

A confection of rose-pink paint and gilded, Mughal-style onion domes, Kuching Mosque (Masjid Bandaraya Kuching) is a Kuching skyline landmark: it stands on a low hill overlooking the Sarawak River. The mosque’s history goes back to at least 1840, but the current structure dates back to 1968: it served as Sarawak’s state mosque for years.

A young woman who died around 1819, Mahsuri is an important figure in Langkawi, and though it was only built in the 1950s, Mahsuri’s Tomb (Kota Mahsuri) is one of the island’s more meaningful tourist attractions. Besides the tomb, there’s a museum, a handicrafts shop, a theater, food outlets, a re-created traditional house, and a well believed to be magical.

Formerly known as the Langkawi Crocodile Farm (Taman Buaya, Crocodile Adventureland is dedicated to all things crocodilian. Around 4,000 crocs from six different species laze in pools around the grounds, springing into life for feedings and stunt shows, while the Jurassic Croc area boasts a huge, animated prehistoric crocodile.

One of many popular optical-illusion museums in Southeast Asia, Penang’s Upside Down Museum is set up like an ordinary home but with the furniture and accessories stuck to the ceiling. It’s a favorite among locals and travelers, adults and children alike, who come to take disorienting selfies to post on social media.

Occupying the 4th and 5th floors of the Petronas Towers, Petrosains, the Discovery Centre is a science-focused museum that explores the petroleum industry, with exhibitions and activities that focus on STEM skills. It's arranged into 11 interactive galleries that showcase everything from fossils to space-age technology.

A rotating viewing platform, the Taming Sari Tower (Menara Taming Sari) rises from ground level to around 262 feet (80 meters), delivering sweeping views across historic Melaka as it turns. Besides the revolving star attraction, the site offers bumper cars and a Mini Rider 3D movie-viewing system.

Located southwest of Langkawi, Pulau Singa Besar (or “Big Lion Island”) is an unspoiled tropical paradise of sandy beaches. Spanning 1,572 acres (636 hectares) of sandy beach, lush jungle, and jagged limestone, the wildlife sanctuary is home to various wildlife, including macaques, mouse deer, hornbills, peacocks, lizards, and eagles.

As the northernmost point of Borneo—the third-largest island in the world—the Tip of Borneo (Tanjung Simpang Mengayau) is the meeting point of the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. The significant location of the dramatic headland is marked by a bronze globe and surrounded by rugged coastal scenery.

Built in 1870 by Charles Brooke, Second White Rajah of Sarawak, the Astana is now the official residence of the Governor of Sarawak. It is a regal complex comprising three separate bungalows and a narrow system of passageways that unifies all parts of the Astana into a single palatial dwelling.

Tucked away in the Bornean state of Sarawak, Niah National Park catapulted to fame in 1958 when archeologists discovered the oldest human remains in Southeast Asia. It’s home to eight main caves, which feature a fascinating mix of cave paintings and a large entrance. It’s also home to half a million swiftlet birds, who make their nests entirely from saliva.

Many travelers pass through the city of Kota Bharu on their way to the Perhentian Islands, but few stop to appreciate the cultural and historical richness here. This conservative Muslim city offers a glimpse into traditional Malaysian life and provides off-the-beaten path experiences including river cruises and visits to the Gua Ikan Caves.

One of Langkawi’s top natural attractions, Seven Wells Waterfall (Telaga Tujuh Waterfall) is a scenic series of rock pools set atop a towering waterfall in the middle of the jungle. The waterfall itself drops around 295 feet (90 meters) through the forest, while monkeys add local color even when water is short. Sweeping views stretch across the island.

Initially built as a prison in 1879, the Square Tower sits in colonial splendor on the eastern end of the Kuching Waterfront. With its crenelated top, hexagonal turret, and emblazoned Brooke family coat of arms, the striking structure still resembles the fortress it once was. Today, it’s home to Magenta Restaurant, which only opens for dinner.

Though Borneo might be most famous for orangutans and elephants, the Sarawak capital of Kuching is best known for cats—the Malay word for cat (kucing) sounds exactly like the city’s name, which earned it the moniker of Cat City. Kuching commemorates this with a series of kitsch cat statues throughout its center, depicting different breeds in their feline fabulousness.

Touted as one of the country’s best state museums, the Penang State Museum and Art Gallery covers Penang’s history, including the settlement of the islands and the Penang Riots. The museum’s collection also showcases the cultural heritage that developed along the way, from the Peranakan people to British colonial influence to today.